ELEVEN more shared-ownership homes are set to be built on council land.

The former garage sites at North Parade, Skipton, and Duke Street and Banksway in Bentham, are to be developed at a total cost of £1.84 million.

The Council has already built 10 shared ownership homes on three other sites since 2016, for first-time buyers who cannot afford to access market housing. It has bought a further 11 homes from private developers to offer as shared ownership, with more on the way.

Paul Shevlin, chief executive of Craven District Council, said: “The Council is very pleased to be able to play a direct part in delivering affordable homes to the people of Craven.

“These new shared ownership schemes will enable more residents to get on the housing ladder.

“Shared ownership means that the buyer initially shares the costs of ownership with the council – making it affordable for those who might not otherwise be able to pay as large a deposit or get as big a mortgage as they would need to buy on the open market.

“This is just one of many steps we are taking to make it more attractive for people to live and work in Craven. We also work with developers to deliver affordable homes as part of private developments.

“Since 2015, developers have built 254 affordable homes in Craven – over 37 per cent of the total number of new homes. Another 243 affordable homes are currently on site and are expected to complete over the next two years.”

The new properties at North Parade and Bentham are being part-funded by a grant of £515,000 from Homes England and a Land Release Fund grant of £31,250.

They will include a number of environmentally-friendly features, including solar panels and electric charging points on the Bentham homes, and reductions in carbon emissions in the Skipton properties.

To qualify for shared ownership, you must be unable to afford a home on the open market and you must not earn more than £80k per year.

Some schemes also require a local connection.

Two other council-owned sites, in Hellifield and Settle, have been identified as suitable for shared ownership housing, and are currently in the planning process.